Chew on this: Food news you can use

July 04, 2011|Karen Rallo | Chew on This

Choosing to be knowledgeable about the foods we eat — how many calories or how much cholesterol or carbohydrates a serving contains — is the first step toward better health. No matter if you are diabetic, or are a caregiver to someone who is a diabetic, eating less meat and starchy foods just makes good sense.

The May/June booklet Diabetic Cooking, available for $3.99, is packed with recipes that provide tasty and healthy menu options for the entire family. When it comes to cooking for a diabetic youth, it’s particularly difficult to come up with fun, yet flavorful dishes. In the section Mexican Feast, we found the Mexican Pizza to be an easy, flavorful and colorful entree. Served with a side salad, it’s a great summertime meal for the entire family.

Combine salsa and cumin. Spread over partially baked crust. Top with beans, corn and green onions. Bake 8 minutes or until crust is deep golden brown. Top with cheese and continue to bake 2 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cut into squares. If desired, garnish with cilantro. Serves 8.

In addition to offering produce pickup from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, Purple Porch Co-op will now offer pickup from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. In the next few weeks, lettuce, kale, chard, tomatoes, onions, radishes, potatoes, cherries, raspberries and much more will be available. Purple Porch, at 1302 High St., South Bend, now accepts EBT, SNAP benefits and orders online at purpleporchcoop.com. Call 574-274-9889 or visit purpleporchcoop.com to learn more.

Baking contest

Last week we wrote about Jacqueline Termont, a former Mishawaka resident and 1996 graduate of Mishawaka High School, vying for a position in the 2012 Pillsbury Bake-Off contest. The online contest, between Termont and a fellow Virginia resident, is now closed. Results will be announced in October, when we’ll learn if Termont gets the chance to compete for the $1 million grand prize with her Lemon Crumb Tart. We wish her the best.

State fair winner

If you’re a good storyteller, you could be an Indiana State Fair winner. The Indiana State Fair, partnered with Indiana Humanities, will award $1,500 in cash prizes to the top three winners of its Hoosier Food Story Contest. Write about an Indiana food invention, organization or person that’s made an impact on the economy and culture of Indiana food by July 1. Winners will be announced Aug. 5. To learn more, visit www.in.gov/statefair/fair/competition/open_class_

handbook.html.

Good-Buy

Here’s an especially delicious event you’ll want to mark on your calendar: Harbor Country Moonlight Madness, taking place 5-9 p.m. July 16. The event will feature specials at a variety of businesses, including The Lark & Pear, 13057 Red Arrow Highway, Sawyer. “We do what we call Chocolate Madness, everything chocolate,” says bakery owner Bernadette Lynch. On the menu, double chocolate layer cake, chocolate nut tart, grasshopper pie, raspberry chocolate cheesecake, white chocolate cheesecake with lemon curd, cranberry white chocolate shortbread, and much more. “And, of course,” says Lynch, “take home the cure for Chocolate Madness, more for the morning!” Bakery shoppers will get 10 percent off Cocoa-Latte, Cocoa-Latte Café or Cocoa-Latte Charger with a purchase of any chocolate dessert on July 16. Call 269-426-3710 for details or to reserve a special treat.

If you’ve spotted any good buys, have a recipe to share or a response to items in this column, send them to Karen Rallo, Chew on This, Features Department, South Bend Tribune, 225 W. Colfax Ave., South Bend, IN 46626, or e-mail to krallo@sbtinfo.com.